Stepping Into A Different World

In the third unit of the course Endurance we studied, the last part of a heroes journey, we analysed Malala’s speech, we watched an interview of a man who survived the holocaust along with everything he endured and we analyzed how one goes through apotheosis of their journey. In this unit we didn’t have an FE planned because we had to create our own FE. We had to do something or go somewhere where we can endure a mental, physical or both challenge. I chose to do a physical endurance and did exercise for almost an hour straight. For our action project, we had to create a survival book for our future selves. I want to go into the communications field and this book shows what it is, salary, what I need to prepare for, materials I will need and timeline. In this project I had difficulties with reaching some word limits and going in details in my explanations. Besides that the rest was straight forwards and it was easy for me. In this project I learned that I still have lots to learn about communications and I am proud of how realistic I answered future questions. To learn more about my future plans check out my survival book below. Enjoy!

KIS. Survival Book Cover. 2017

What and Why

My mission is to become a successful communicator whether that is in television, radio or digital multimedia. I am aiming more towards digital multimedia, but I also like the other two, so I wouldn’t mind doing one or two of them. I want to pursue it because it’s something I am interested in and have some experience in. I am a young Latina who wants to help other young girls get resources and opportunities for them to get a higher education. I want to become someone who people can rely on to get information and someone who people want around for important events.

Lay of the Land

In this area, most people become really successful because they know someone in the industry who they get help from or has a big network before the career. To be in communications, one has to read a lot to be informed about many things that go on in the world, country, state, city and neighborhood. One must pronounce words well, talk clearly, improvise and chose words correctly. It is highly recommended to get a degree in communication. It can be radio, journalism, social media, marketing, television, newsprint or public relations. Having this degree will make life easier in this field because one will have the knowledge of how to project their voice, manipulate it, knows how to act when telling news or saying a script and one knows how to get the message across with the right words.

I was told that I one’s words can kill an idea, project or a person. I have a mentor who has helped and started to guide me through this area. She has a long career starting in Mexico and now in the Unites States, she is well connected and she knows what she is doing. She is looking for young people who like communications and would like to start a show that will reach other young people. That’s a reason why she is also mentoring me-- she wants to and is going to prepare me with the right tools to start and continue a show like that. People who are famous and in the communication are the people in the news, reporters and people who host shows. People like Opera, Erika Pino, Ellen, Clarissa Molina, Alejandra Espinoza and more others. These are people who have been where I am and they are figures to follow.

A graduate with a communication degree will have jobs with salaries from $23,530-$187,000 it all depends on what area one focus the degree on and entry, mid and long salaries. The educational levels for communications is associate’s, bachelor’s and master's. The most common communication majors are Public Relations (PR) and Organizational Communication, Radio, TV, Broadcasting, Journalism, Advertising and Marketing. The top ten jobs in order from highest paying to lowest paying in communication are Chief Marketing Officer, Vice President (VP) Communication, VP Marketing, VP Account Manager, VP Marketing & Business Development, Group Account Director, Director of Strategy, Online Marketing Director, Social Media Director, VP Public Relations, Executive Producer, Director of Communications and Digital Strategy, Global Marketing Manager, Account Director and Marketing Consultant. Communications is a big umbrella with many majors which means that their are many opportunities to get jobs and to find what one really likes.

There is lots to learn and many requirement I will have to fulfill in the communication field. Communications might sound easy, but it’s not because their is many options to chose from and it comes with different salaries. Also knowing what major is in demand will help me get a job as soon as I graduates. I have a lot ahead of me and it’s not going to be an easy road.

Timeline 

2015- Look for someone in the industry or a place to do internship

2016- Take speech classes

2016- Get more involved in this industry

2017- Go to college to learn more

2019- Get an internship to get experience

2020- Graduate

2021- Get a stable good job

2023- Start working on my own projects

2025- Work with well networked or famous people

2029- Get awarded for a work of mine

Resources and Materials

I think I will need a top computer with plenty of memory. I will need the best technology in general. I will also need to go to many social events to start creating my network that I will need in the future. I will need these things because communication is all about technology and social media. Getting yourself out there and what you stand for. These materials are expensive and not easy to get so I will need to find a place to get it cheap. I need these things to do the best I can in my work. A good quality work will get me far in my career.

Non-Negotiable's

Family is the most important thing, and hanging out with friends is fun, but if necessary I will need to make the sacrifice. Only if it’s worth it at the end. If I have to sacrifice family parties or friends, I will. I am not willing to waste my time on something that wouldn’t get me far or that will benefit my career in the long run. My family understands that things need to be sacrificed in order to get where you want to be, so I think they that will be a problem. I am also not willing to give up my sleep too much.

What If?

Worst-case scenario would be not graduating with all my credits, dropping out because of my contribution to college or lost of scholarships or changing my major last minute and extending my college time. With extension it will cost more money, I won’t graduate on time and I won’t graduate with my friends. Another thing would be not getting a job right after college, so I won’t have an income or a stable job. I think I would be lost and frustrated with life, it would be a downside. I would be in a bad position if I don’t have somewhere to go after college and with a debt. I think that those scenarios would be the worst that can happen to my career. My backup plan would be to get a job in another field until I find a job with my degree. By doing this, I will have money for basic necessities. In this scenario I would like to stand on my own, but I know I will need the support of my family to get through and they would probably offer to help in whatever way they can. My backup plan won’t be much and it might not be enough, but it is what I think I can do for now.

Inspiration

“If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.” -Milton Berle

“The best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today.” -H. Jackson Brown

“Put your heart, mind and soul into even your smallest acts . This is the secret of success.” -Swami Sivananda

“Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” -Theodore Roosevelt

“Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.” -Vince Lombardi

Map

I chose this map because I am studying in Chicago and I would like to stay in Chicago. The thing is that in LA there is more opportunities for my degree meaning more job offering, more networking and a stable income.

Personal Choice: A to hear quote

“If education was easy, everyone would do it.” -My Dad

Citations:

“Bachelor of Arts (BA), Communication Degree Average Salary.” PayScale Human Capital. N.P. Web. June 1, 2017.

“Best Jobs For Communications Majors by Salary Potential.” PayScale Human Capital. N.P. Web. June 1, 2017.

“Inspirational Quotes.” Brainy Quotes. N.P. Web. June 1, 2017.

“Map of USA showing state names.” Wikimedia. N.P. May 24, 2017. Web. June 1, 2017.

“Types of Communication Degrees.” Masters In Communication. N.P. Web. June 1, 2017.

Reflection On A 12 Hour Journey

In the second unit of the course Endurance, we studied saw videos of people who have endure in a journey and Dante’s Inferno. One of the videos was about a journey a boat crew took to explore antarctica and they got stranded there for several months because of the coldness. Another video was about a magician holding his breath for 17 minute, we saw how he prepared himself for it and what he had to do with his body to hold his breath and not die. A movie that we saw that impacted me was about a 14 year old girl sailing the world by herself and she spend two years doing it. All of this people have in goals that motivated them to do their journey. For our action project, we had to do something for 12 hours it can be scattered or some hours straight. I chose to do an IMovie because I haven’t done one in a long time and I thought it would be nice to show my GCE high school experience. I chose my high school experience because there has been many students and staff that have graduated or transferred from GCE and I thought it would be nice for my fellow classmates to see them again in pictures and remember them. Besides making the movie for 12 hours I had to keep a journal of the process. Every day I worked I would record myself saying what I did and how long it took. Then I would put them in a Vlog form. During this project I struggled with keeping up with my journals because I would sometimes forget to do it right away so then I would have to do it later on and sometimes forget some details that I did. In this project I learned how committed and determined you have to be to accomplish your goal and go through the journey. To know more about my 12 hour journey check out my Vlogs and final product below.



VLOGS of process:



Special Materials:

• IMovie
• Music in order:
• Before I Sleep by Muciojad
• Energy by Pokki DJ
• The Other Side by LukHash

Future Me?

In the first unit of the course Endurance, we studied a hero's journey and a dream that Morpheus gives us. We learned each step of a hero’s journey, the most common are ordinary life, call to action, refusal of call, mentor, crossing the threshold, tests, rebirth, road back and return. For an FE, we went to a dojo where the martial arts are sacred. We started of easy in a park, on our way back we did different exercises and when we got to the dojo we did intense exercise. Everyone was so tired and exhausted. The purpose of this FE is to endure the exercise. We all did, but the days to come was so much pain, we were so sore especially our legs. For our action project, we had to write an autobiography in the future. Writing about our call to action and experiences that made us to where we got in the future. I chose to see myself as a successful hostess because I am going to study communications in college. During this project I struggled with coming up with a convincing story of my future. I learned how to make a digital cover. To know more about how I plan my future check out my autobiography below.

KIS, Autobiography Bookcover. 2017.

It all started when I was in my teens. I was introduced to the world of communication by a lady who owns a radio internet station. I was invited to a show she produces in her station. I was invited because I was in many beauty pageants and they wanted to know how I stay healthy in that type of environment and how I felt participating in them. I was honored to be interviewed. As soon as I entered the building I met up with her and she gave me a tour of the building and I was so impressed. At that time I was exploring what I wanted to do in college and for the rest of my life. I was so frustrated and confused because I didn’t know what to do and nothing medical or engineering called my attention. I was really worried to go to college and not know what my career is. That’s when I got my call to action. I was called to choose communication as my career.

I stayed in touch with her and about 2 years later I had my own show. My theme was quinceaneras and sweet 16 because it connects to my culture and I want to embrace it. My show was meant to help girls plan their 15 and 16 party. I had an hour show every Sunday and I hosted with two other girls. We came up with the content, reached out to services to get a deal to provide it exclusively on our show and we had a phone that our audience can call and talk to us. We had many guest from people providing services, to mom and daughter sharing their experience of their party to young girls sharing their vision for their party and helping them plan it. We had the show for 1 year and a half. We had to end it because of money and time. I was sad, but that gave me the opportunity to take public speech classes with the lady. She has been in the communication area for more than 20 years, so getting classes from her, getting her tips, observing how she talks and the rules of this area really got me hooked. That helped me get ready for my future show or shows that I will be hosting.

For my interest to Communication, I went to Columbia College. I decided to attend this school because I am a City girl. I was born in Chicago and raised there too. Knowing I wanted to stay in the city, a city I know and an engaging place. I knew Columbia would be a better fit for me than my other school options. A challenge I had right away was public transportation. My mom would take me to where I needed to be, so I didn’t take public transportation that often. Going to Columbia and growing up I had to stop relying on my mom and become independent. Having a car in downtown is really expensive so taking public transportation was way cheaper. I had to learn the north and southbound, where color lines take me and what buses drops me off closest to my school. At school I collaborated with so many people. Students, teachers and people outside of school. Without knowing it I was building my network. I was exposed to so many ideas, places and people that made me be more creative, innovative and more open minded. My mom says “ dedication, patients,studios, perseverance and technology” are my strengths. I focused on my strengths and rely on them to keep going. Another thing that help me in this journey is having a friend from elementary school going into communications too. With her I hosted my radio internet show and when we struggled we would help each other out. During college I had many breakdowns and was really stressed out. I would have many project and I would have many overlapping events. I would get bad headaches and not that much sleep. I was like this for a while and unfortunately let many people down. When I recovered I promised myself that I wouldn’t get more than I can chew. I didn’t say yes to every opportunity and scheduled everything so no overlapping would happen and that I won’t let anyone down.

After College I had some job offers. It looked like my network effort worked a little. Somewhere more interesting than others. I started working for a radio station, it was good, not so stressful, I had my time slot for my show and I stayed there for 3 years. I decided to leave the radio station because it wasn’t making me happy anymore. I then went on a job hunt and didn’t find anything that I thought I can do for more than 3 years and that gave me good salary. I had no job for a little while and I was starting to get worried. Then a friend of mine from college called me and asked if I was interested in working on television in California because they are looking for a qualified person. I got so excited and immediately said yes. After the call ended I then realized that I will be living Chicago, my home, my family and my friends. I thought about calling back and change my mind, but then I need the job and it was precisely what I was looking for. Although I didn’t want to I had to leave Chicago to continue my career. It was really sad, but my family understand that I needed to go.

In California things were obviously different. I was excited and nervous at the same time. I met up with my friend and gave me a tour of the city and television place. The next day I went straight to work. I was hosting an entertainment show. I talked about what going on in artist lives, fashion and events. It was all good and I was happy. A lot of research was required especially when the show expanded. Everything was going good and the show had 3 successful years. Until a girl who came from another television chain started talking about me to the director, producers and then moved on to the tabloids. She was ruining my career and my hard work. I didn’t know she was doing that until months later when I didn’t have trust from the people I work with. I then realized that she did that to get me kicked out and for her to have my spot since the show was at it’s top at that time. I was so mad at her and at the people who I worked for years to believe that. I kept working for couple weeks until I couldn’t work anymore because it was destroying me and I wasn’t happy anymore. Without hesitation I quit before getting fired. I wasn’t think straight because once again I didn’t have a job. It was really hard to find a job again because of the damage the girl did and I was right, when I left she immediately took my spot.

Without a job I was living off my saving and many time I thought about going home and giving up., but I didn’t want to come home a failure so I stayed. Months passed and I still didn’t have a job, but the good thing was that whatever the girl said was blowing off. I also went to some interviews to talk about the rumors, how I dealt with it and hoped that speed up availabilities of jobs for me. It did and I applied to be a host for a music entertainment show. Something different from my last job, but it was something I was really interested. Showing the good things i've done on my resume, I got the job a week later. Once I got there I saw so many artist there. I was shocked and amazed. I met the producer and told me what I the topic is. I tried to stay as professional as I could and I interviewed some artist. Thanks to that show I am very happy, I am friends with many artist and I have a stable job. This year I make 7 years in this program and I have hosted the at the emmy’s and I have gotten 2 of them. This industry has it’s ups and downs, but I am glad to have a strong relationship with the other workers and I have inspiring friends.

For The Future

In the second unit of the course Equality, we studied race, class and gender. We looked at the issues that we are having currently with our president and how he is encouraging racism. It’s like he gave people permission to be racist and treat people badly in public. We also saw videos of people testing racism. How kids are influenced from their parents, media and their environment to think light skin means good and black skin means bad. We also saw a video of a black guy and white guy who dress the same and acts the same. The video shows the two guys doing the same things like looking to buy a house, getting a job, going to the hospital and we see how people treat the black guy different because of his skin color that associated him to a low class. The video also showed facts of how a black guy is more likely to get pulled over than a white guy and the rate of black person going to jail is way higher than a white person. For our action project, we had to write an article based on gender, race or class. We also had to do a toy with an advertisement, a policy and a letter to the editor from a different person's point of view. I chose the topic race and I went with a music theme. I created a toy where you can make music with it and one can change instruments by switching a card. All of this is meant to go in a time capsule and for people of the future to know and read how thing were in 2017. If interested check out my project below. Enjoy!

KIS. Making Music Advertisement. 2017.

Revolutionary Musicians!

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By: KIS                                                                                    February 18, 2017.

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Who knew that music influence our emotions, thoughts and ideas. Best friends Savannah and Ace write music with many messages. They can’t be categorized into one type of music, they play different music according to their message. Their message varies from issues, politics, empowerment, inspiration, motivation, etc.

Savannah was born in Chicago and her parents are Mexican. Ace was born in New York and his parents are Danish. They come from different backgrounds, but they both believe in bringing awareness to people and helping America become more accepting of different races.

“DJ Digital Technology Sequencer Music Samples.” Max Pixel. Image. Web. February 22, 2017.

Since they were little both have been surrounded by music and they both enjoy it. They met in their teens online through a mutual friend. They were both hesitant talking through the internet with no contact, but once they started talking they realized they had things in common, but overall  they have a passion for music. Both wanted to influence others and become famous. Instead of having the competitive instinct they decided to help each other. For years they talked through the internet and shared ideas with each other that will benefit one of them or both.

Once they finished college and becoming an expert in the music business and mastering other instruments. They realized that they wanted the same thing in life and they decided to become a duo and face the world together.

They started with simple messages for the lyrics and a slow music to get a feel of how it will work out and how people will react to it. After many trial and error they got the result they wanted. They started going deep into the music and brought awareness.

Savannah’s and Ace’s music has been the encouragement for people to speak up, find their voice and fight for what is right. People love their music because of the different styles that people like. People can choose what they want to hear if it’s political or inspirational and if they want something fast, medium or slow.

Policy

Discrimination shall not be encouraged and therefore no one should treat another race differently, especially businesses. Everyone should be and feel welcomed.

Dear Editor:

I am so happy that someone shined the light on this amazing duo. They have been in the shadows for a while and they should proud of their music. Their music connects to any age and they should know that their music inspire so many people. They are role models to follow.

Some people will say their music is bad, they don’t have a solid style and they are all over the place with no focus. People also think they aren’t talented and that they shouldn’t continue their music careers,  others will say they are ok.

I say the opposite and I love how they approach issues and make the music around the message so that it goes along and helps the message get through. I would say that Savannah’s and Ace’s focus is important conflicts, inspiration and issues that go on in the world and wake us up from the coma we are living in. Everyone's so focused on their lives and the things they do that they don’t pay attention to other problems that could affect them or others. For the reason that people are so busy with their lives, they don’t give their opinions, don’t stand up for others, don’t vote for important things and they don’t notice when their rights are being violated.

I really like how Savannah and Ace started to make an impact on the world with a popular and pleasing art form. I also like how they both knew how they wanted to make a change in the world since they were little, they stayed true to themselves and they made their dreams come true. They deserve to be recognized for everything they do and to stay true to what they believe in.

Thank you for writing this article,
SR

S.M

People's Favorite President

In the first unit of the course Equality, we studied, race, gender, class and other ways our society or world isn’t equal. We looked at many video of how all of this segregation has impacted our lives, how it changed society and how made people have certain views. We also saw a movie about racism that shows how one can be racist to their own race by comparing skin tones, color eyes, color hair and things like that. We had a guest speaker, Elizabeth Dozier, where she talked about making an impact on lower income students lives and how our educational system sets us up to fail. For our action project, we made a textbook look alike chapter based on a historical event. I chose the election of Barack Obama, 2008-2016 because it is something that impact my family and many of my friends were sad when he left the presidency. During this project I had difficulties with balancing creativity with formal because my topic is political and I didn’t want to choose a color or font that doesn’t go according to it. I learned how to create and issuu and I am proud of my work. To know more about the election check out my project below, hope it’s informative.

A Famous Story

In the second unit of the course Journalism, we studied why and how radio has been used to connect us to here and now. We looked at many radio clips from years ago to now and we compared the audio quality. We took on the role of a radio-journalist, practicing both the essential skills of interviewing, as well as script-writing and sound-editing. We watched Ira Glass videos on how to make a good story, and doing it in a podcast form. For our FE, we went to Columbia College, to their Journalism Department, where they do TV and radio broadcasting. For the action project, we had to think of a famous person in the 20th century, and make a podcast about them. In this podcast we had to explain why they are famous, and we had to tell a story about them or a mini autobiography. The person I chose for this was Selena Quintanilla because I have been hearing her music since I was little. During this project I had difficulties with getting sound effects and picking the right interview with Selena and getting the important things in 30 seconds due to copyrights. I also struggled with downloading the youtube videos in the right format to show up in garageband to edit it. I am proud of the how fast I finished my podcast and my fades.
 

Transcript:

WHEN	WHO/HOW	WHAT
0:00-0:30 0:30 - 1:00 1:00- 1:30 1:30-2:30 2:30- 2:50 2:50- 3:50 3:50- 4:20 4:20 -4:40	Me Selena and Don Francisco Interview in 1994 Selena Mrs. A and Me interview Me Mrs. A and Me continue interview Selena Me THE END	Hi I am KS and I am a senior at GCE Chicago Lab School. I am going to talk about Selena Quintanilla because I grew up listening to her music. Selena Quintanilla was born on April 16, 1971, in Lake Jackson, Texas and was known as the "Queen of Tejano Music." Around the age of 10, Selena became the lead singer in her family's band, Selena Y Los Dinos. The band included her brother Abraham on bass guitar and her sister Suzette on the drums. Her father, Abraham, a former musician, managed and produced the group. Selena grew up speaking English, but her father taught her to sing in Spanish so she could resonate with the Latino community. She learned the lyrics first, and eventually learned to speak Spanish fluently. Ladies and Gentlemen Selena Quintanilla (applause and cheering sound effect) Selena interview in Spanish. Francisco: You started at age 9 Selena: Yes I started sining when I was 6 years old in a restaurant that my dad owned in Lake, Jackson Texas, where I was born and I never imagine it will be something professional it was only a hobby Francisco: You started, the first thing that you recorded was “Oh mama” or “Oh papa” Selena: “oh mama” the song by…. Francisco: Pablito Ruiz Selena interview in English. M: How did you get started in this, who were some of your influences when you were going up? S: My influences, well I would say my father. My father used to have a band way back then and I guess that is where we get the musical talent from and as far as other groups I used to listen to the taste of honey, little bit of rock AC DC and music, I listen to everything.    Interview responds from Mrs. A. K: Ladies and gentlemen I am please to have Mrs. A A: Hi, thank you having me K: How did you hear about Selena or her music? A: I hear of her because my husband. He likes to hear Spanish radio then he shave one of the songs then later on we saw her on TV. K: Where you a fan of her since the beginning? A: Not really, I like other music styles more, but her tejano techno banda was something new. Her music was different and her enthusiasm on TV or radio was something you could feel. K: What is your favorite song? A: Amor Prohobido and Como la Flor K: How did her music impact you? A: In that time she was like a roll model for many young latinas. Her message was that we have to fight for our dreams even though many doors close on us. Selenas music was contagious and most of her songs expresses real feelings. Selena Quintanilla died of a gun shot at a young age by the president of her fan club. Selenas music impacted a lot of people in Spanish. Her songs touched so many people and she was loved. Her last hit album in English, Dreaming of You, was released in 1995.(gun shot sound effect) Interview responds from Mrs. A. K: What was your reaction of Selenas death? A: I couldn’t believe it. I followed the news since the beginning and when the doctor declared her death I couldn’t hold back my tears. K: What is your opinion on the way she died? A: The way she died was unbelievable it seem like a part of a movie. Especially because in my opinion Selenas trust in many people died before she physically died. K: Did you think she was going to be big? A: She was big. Many felt identified because her songs where in Spanish, but also in English. K: Do you think she “lives” through people? A: Yes, I believe that. Since her death her music live with her fans and also the children of the fans, who listen and sing her songs in meetings or parties. K: Thank you. A: You’re welcome. Selena’s English music clip Selena was hitting top when she died, but in her music she left a piece of her soul, her passion and her experiences. People will say that a party is not a party without having at least one of her songs played. We feel Selena through her music when we listen to it and we remember her. Selena will alway live in our hearts.

Young answering "What is the meaning of Life?"

For the first unit of the course Journalism, we studied photojournalism and critical thinking behind the photo. We looked at many examples, we looked at a picture of a girl in Africa malnourished and how powerful the picture was when it impacted people. We also talked about the journalist who takes the pictures, what they go through, how their job is dangerous and how they can't do anything to help the people when they are taking the pictures. In our FE, we went to Weinberg Newton Gallery and we saw an exhibition called "Killing Season in Chicago." The exhibition contain pictures of killings on Chicago, most of the killings involved guns and some pictures were repeated to show how many people died in that spot. The pictures didn't have people in them because the photographer wanted to show places you might know and didn't know there was a killing there. For our action project, we interviewed someone on their opinion on, "What is the Meaning of Life." I chose to interview my cousins because of their young age range. During this project I had difficulty with putting everything together for the final product and I am proud of my interviews. 

                                                                                       

Life is a precious gift that everyone has, but people don’t know how to describe it. The meaning of life can have many perspectives depending on who you ask. Trying to answer the question, “What is the meaning of life?” is very philosophical because there is no right or wrong answer. To find out what other people's answers are for this question I interviewed my cousins J, M and X on Tuesday, September 27, 2016 and interviewed them at their house. I chose my cousins because they are a wide range of ages, and I wanted to see their perspectives on the main question “What is the meaning of life?” M is 14 years old; J is 11 years old, and X is 8 years old. I wanted to see how different ages approach this question and how they arrived at their conclusions.

Once I got to their house, I sat with J first I gave her some background information, without telling her the main question. I didn't tell her the question because I wanted it to be spontaneous and see what kind of responds comes up. I felt like if I told her beforehand then she would have overthink it and give me an answer that she thinks I want to hear instead of giving her sincere answer. I did the same with M and X.

KIS. M picture. 2016

This is M's picture, for his picture he wanted on a wall and I agreed because that way I could focus the camera on his face, the lighting was perfect because it reflected off the wall and it allowed me to take a clear picture of him. The dark colors of his clothes also helped so there could be a balance in colors because if he was wearing light colors then that picture would have been to bright. 

KIS. J picture. 2016.

For J's picture she didn't know what do do or how to pose because she is camera shy. I saw her homework in her room and suggested to do her homework while I take the picture, she agreed. I suggested her doing her homework because it shows what she does everyday, which is do home work and also she didn't have to look at the camera so that worked for her too. In taking this shot it was hard to get the angle for her because it was too wide and many things around her, I didn't want other things to take away the focus of her. Also the lighting was good because in the position she is in you can still see her face instead of shadow.  

KIS. X picture. 2016.

For X's picture it was a little more difficult because she had so many ideas on what she should be doing, what she should wear and how she should pose when taking the picture. After many takes with different backgrounds, clothes and props, she allowed me to use this picture. In taking this picture the light was a little different because it is more yellow and it made her look a little dark, but it worked out because her face still shows. Also the space was good because there wasn't that many things around so the picture focuses on her. 

Interview transcript of the M, J and X.

Q: In your opinion what is the Meaning of Life?
A:
M- The meaning of life is when you live with your family and people that care about you. You take care of them and they take care of you and you live as one.
J- Meaning of life is when you get to live.
X- Fun, also to be with your family and live life.

Q: What do you mean you get to live?
A: J- Like when you’re born. Life is something not a lot of people get to have like when babies die in their mom stomach or people die before they have a babie. Life is really special practically because not a lot of people get to live.

Q: What happens to the people who didn’t have family or friends?
A: M- Well, they have the people that surrounds them, the people that have been there with them through all their problems and they helped the person through everything.

Q: What’s another reason on why life is special?
A: J- Because when you die it’s not the same thing as when you are living, you don’t have your same family members or the people that you care about.

Q: If I asked you this question when you were younger do you think you would have said the same thing? What do you think you would have said?
A:
M- Probably not, I would have said that life is like when you are breathing and your heart is beating. I would have said something like google's definition wouldn't be the same as your own definition.
J- No, I would have said, my mommy gave me life.

Q: If I asked you this question in the future do you think you would answer the same way?
A: X- Life can be hard and tough, but you can get through it and it’s going to be awesome once you finish studying and school. There is also some hard things that you need to understand.

Q: Do you think that your definition of life applies to everybody no matter their race, religion or anything like that?
A:Yeah because everyone has someone who they care about or that cares about them so it applies to everyone.

Q: Have you been in a situation that made you realize the meaning of life?
A:
M- Well I guess my own experiences with my family, so that gave me the definition because I spend a lot of time with them, they are really important to me and they are part of my life.
J- I made me realize it when I hear a bunch of stories when their babies die inside of their stomach and that's just sad because not a lot of people get to live.
X- I don’t know I guess I just thought about it really good. Life is hard, but most of the parts are really fun to do and you know I think what me me think about it was that we always go to places.

Q: Do you think your definition of life still applies to you if you didn’t have your family? Like if you were one of those kids who are out in the streets the whole time.
A: 

M- I still think so because even though they get separated or they go into the streets they will always going to remember their families and even if you don't want to care about them you will always going to have a feeling that you need to make sure they are ok. I will apply to all those people too.
X- No, because they don’t have family and they don’t go places. Loneliness, but trying their best to move on with their life.

Q: Where do you hear these stories?
A: J- One of the stories I hear in People’s Music School. The other one my mom told me that my aunts baby died and I felt sad because that would have been not fair. That hurts people when their baby dies and you could commit suicide or something like that.

Q:You mention school and studies. That means that part of life is having an education? Why?

A: X- So then you can learn, be smart, you won’t be living on the streets and you can have a good job.

Thank you for letting me interview and being open to answer my questions.
A: M, J, X - You’re welcome.

At the end of these interviews, I took the time to actually let their answers sink in and realize what they said. The way they answers was very different and how they approached the questions in different angles. M approached it from the importance of family and friends perspective. J approached it as appreciating life and how special it is. X approached it as fun and going to exciting places with family. The foundation for their answers and that they always kept in mind was family and how it important it is because they kept mentioning it. I was surprised on how M answered my questions on certain words he said without repeating himself too much. I was surprised on J’s perspective on life and what kinds of stories kids her age hear. I was surprised at X’s mentioning education and how important it is especially at a young age.

“One Of The Worst Supreme Court Decision Ever In The United States”

For the third unit of the course Policy we studied, we learned the purpose and powers of the judicial branch, and how those powers have been executed throughout history. We learned the role of the judicial branch and who is that branch today. We learned the difference between Federal Court and State Court, the different wars America has been in and habeas corpus. For our action project, we had to choose a court case and find research on it. The purpose of this action project is to document a historical Supreme Court and analyze how it has affected society since. I chose the Dred Scott v. Sandford case because I had some previous knowledge of it and because I think that this case had a change in our history. The media I chose to present my finding was prezi because I think it’s easy to handle and I think it captures people's attention when there's animation. During this project I had difficulty finding the truth because in every website it was different dates, different scenarios and I just didn’t know which one to believe. I also struggled with getting the quotes to go along with what I was explaining and that supports it. At the end of this project I learned to have patients when researching because it was a lot of research and lots of contradictions, but also to know what's coming because when researching about historical moments there are lots of versions to the situation, so that’s a hit that the research won’t be easy. I hope you find my prezi below informative.

Was The Iraq War Just Or Unjust?

In the second unit of the course Policy, we studied in depth the wars that the United States has been into. We had many discussions about different wars, when did the United States entered the war and why. We also learned the purpose of the execute and how it functions. For our action project, we had to find a war of our interest and that the United States participated in it. I chose the Iraq war because it was recent and when it was happening, I had no idea what was going on. Thats where my interest came from just knowing what was happening around me when I was a kid. During this action project I had difficulty finding a policy that was made in that time and how the citizens interpret it. I had lots of information, but it was difficult to place in information in the right place. I learned how to write an essay with lots of information from lots of websites.

Bush Doctrine. Wikipedia. March 23, 2016.

The war was fought in Iraq. The war takes place 2003-2011, the U.S was in the war since the beginning because they started the war. Countries involved in the war against Iraq are United States, United Kingdom, South Korea, Italy, Poland, Australia, Iraq, Georgia, Ukraine, Estonia, Netherlands, Spain, Denmark, MNF-I, and Azerbaijan. Countries in Iraq are Baath Loyalist, Islamic State of Iraq, Mahdi Army, Special groups, IAI, and Ansar al-sunnah. Some tactics and strategies that the U.S. Army used was the Coalition forces were able to topple the dictator's regime and capture Iraq’s major cities in just three weeks, sustaining few casualties. “Despite fears that Iraqi forces would engage in a scorched-earth policy—destroying bridges and dams and setting fire to Iraq’s southern oil wells—little damage was done by retreating Iraqi forces; in fact, large numbers of Iraqi troops simply chose not to resist the advance of coalition forces” (Encyclopedia Britannica, page 1.) The causes of the war was The Dictatorship of Saddam Hussein that violated the peoples human rights. Also it was suspected that the dictator had a weapon of destruction or was making one to attack other places, such as the United States since the United State was certain that the dictator was involved in the 9/11 attack that happen in New York. Some underlying causes was the United Kingdom notice Iraq getting lots of weapons and technology. When that notice was made they requested the UN inspections to see if Iraq had a lot of weapons and Iraq didn’t comply. I think that the Iraq war was unjust because all of the President's Bush reasons were at the end proved wrong. All of his assumptions were just assumptions nothing that he claimed they had was true and yet many lives were lost both from America and Iraq citizens. Though several antiwar protests occurred in American cities in the lead-up to the invasion, many opinion polls showed considerable support for military action against Iraq before and during the war. American opinions on the war sometimes crossed traditional party lines and doctrinal affiliation, with many to the right of the avowedly conservative Bush seeing the war as an act of reckless internationalism and some to the political left—appalled by the Baʿthist regime’s brutal human rights violations and its consistent aggression—giving grudging support to military action.

Just after the United States Army stated the explosion on rock Baghdad, Iraq’s capital, U.S. President George W. Bush announced in a televised address, “At this hour, American and coalition forces are in the early stages of military operations to disarm Iraq, to free its people and to defend the world from grave danger” (History, page 1.) President Bush declared war in Iraq on March 20, 2001. Congress supported President Bush because they didn’t want another attack, they knew that the terrorism of 9/11 were from around there and Iraq had a weapon of destruction. Congress agreed to help protect the people of the United States. President Bush and his advisors built much of their case for war on the idea that Iraq, under dictator Saddam Hussein, possessed or was in the process of building weapons of mass destruction.

The Bush administration's foreign policy will be remembered mainly for the Iraq war and the doctrine of pre-emption.The pre-emption policy that President Bush made for the Iraq war was to allow the United States to attack Iraq before Iraq attacks them. Although the United States reasons weren’t as valid to attack and kill many people who might have been innocent. Mr. Bush's doctrine of pre-emption, which calls for attacking a country or group deemed to be posing an imminent threat before it attacks the United States. He proposed this because he felt that after 9/11 attack, he needed to be ready for another attack and with the knowledge of weapons in Iraq he didn’t want to risk another attack. Before knowing for sure he decided to make this policy to attack potential terrorism before 
they do. The policy was intended to prepare the country to go to war for potential reasons of President Bush.

Although the war wasn’t in the United States, there was protest about the war in Iraq. People didn't agree to the declaration of war because they didn’t see how sending sons, daughter, brothers, sisters, fathers and mothers to war and putting their lives in danger was an honor. Not only people in Iraq will die or get injured, but also american citizens can have the same fate. Making the soldiers believe that they were fighting for something great, when actually there was no need for that blood shed and all the trauma the soldiers had to go through just for a policy that our government made. Government can declare war, make bills and laws, but most of the time they just make them because it doesn’t affect them. When declaring war they are safe at home far away from the war and they just have to deal with some updates about the war, the government don’t go through what the soldiers do. Soldiers fight, see things that they shouldn’t and do things that might be against their will, but the government doesn’t understand because they aren’t in the war they are just in the side lines. In Chicago about 5,000 protesters gathered at Union Park and marched to Federal Plaza. Three students were arrested for walking on the street and charged with disobeying a police officer, resisting arrest, and damaging to property. I think that the way the american citizens protested against the war and try to defend our soldiers and innocent lives in Iraq was just because they can see a solution without violence and risking lives. Consequences of this policy is Iraq was in January 2005, the Iraqi people elected a 275-
member Iraqi National Assembly. A new constitution for the country was ratified that October. On November 6, 2006, Saddam Hussein was found guilty of crimes against humanity and sentenced to death by hanging. No weapons of mass destruction were found in Iraq.

I think that the war was unjust because President declared war on Iraq when there wasn’t strong enough valid reason. There was the cause that the dictator in Iraq violated the people's rights, but the United States didn’t go to war to protect and fight for innocent people. The United States fought for an assumption that Iraq had destructive weapons and that they will attack the United States, but at the end after investigations there was no evidence found. President created the pre-emption where allows the United States to attack a group of people before they attack them, but there was no evidence that the group was going to attack even if they had the weapons people claimed they had. After the war american soldier were traumatized from the war and many lives were lost on both places. It was hard to restore law and order in Iraq because since the dictator was in power a long time and many people were on his side, people didn’t know who to trust, follow or who should be in charge.

Citations:
"Iraq War." Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Online.Encyclopædia Britannica Inc. Web. May 13, 2016.
“List of wars involving the United States.” Wikipedia. May 12, 2016. Web. May 12, 2016.
Nicholas Kralev. “Iraq war defines foreign policy.” The Washington Times. January 15, 2009. Web. May 13, 2016.
“Thousands Across U.S. Protest Iraq War.” CBSNews. October 27, 2007. Web. May 14, 2016.
“War in Iraq begins.” This Day In History. March 19, 2003. Web. May 12, 2016.

Women's Wage

In the first unit of the course Policy, we studied our government, how it works, what each branch does, people who represent the branches, how bills are made, we talked about the presidential debate in depth about what's going on, who makes a good argument and who has valid points. We also read some chapters of the book "The Things They Carried" by Tim O'Brien, it's about the Vietnam War and the book is written by a Vietnam Veteran so it's based on his experience and observations. With that we talked about war, world war 1 and world war 2, why it started, why we participated and how it affected U.S. We also went to a Vietnam National Museum where we saw exhibits of the war made from war veterans. It was really cool to engage in their work and see everything through their eyes. For our action, we wrote a letter about an issue that needs change. We wrote it specifically to someone who can change the outcome and hopefully with our letter they pursue that change. I chose the topic women's equal pay because it’s something I can relate to and that soon I will be looking for employee. I also chose to send my letter to President Obama because he has daughters and he can relate to this issue.

Men-And-Women-Double-Equal-Sign-Gender-Equlity. August 24, 2014. Photograph. Wikimedia Commons. Web. April 29, 2016. 

KIS
GCE Lab School
1535 N. Dayton St.
Chicago, IL. 60642

25 April 2016

President Obama
The White House.
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20500.

Dear President Obama,

Would you like to see a man get paid more money than your daughters? Do you think that’s fair? Well it’s the same thing now with women working as hard as men, but get paid less than men when they do the same job. Last year, “In 2015, female full-time workers made only 79 cents for every dollar earned by men, a gender wage gap of 21 percent.” I think that if anyone has the same amount of experience, does the job right and gets things done than that person should be paid same amount as anyone. It’s not fair that because of your gender or race you get put less than others especially with something that our whole government is based on which is money. Imagine a mother without a husband how will she provide for her children if she gets paid less than a man when she does the same thing as him.

Another big part are the job opportunities. Common jobs for men are software developers, project manager, construction and computer system administration. Common jobs for women are a registered nurse, elementary school teacher and human resources administrator. A study was done to show when women will get equal pay if nothing is done to improve this situation “slow pace as it has done for the past fifty years, it will take 44 years—or until 2059—for women to finally reach pay parity.”

On the other hand people could say “No one seems to think wage inequity is a problem where they work. Seven in 10 employees — that's men and women — in these countries believe that their current employers pay them equally.” In other countries there might be similar or equal pay, but not in the U.S. Women work hard in what they work for and they strive to stand out, to be recognized between all the men. Not paying equally can be the cause of women exposing themselves to gain money because they know that they won’t be as successful as men. I know that you are leaving the white house soon, but before you leave consider this and pass the bill. This bill will be beneficial to the women and for the country because with more equality there is more diversity.

Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
KIS,
GCE Student

Resources:

• “Do Men Really Make More Money Than Women?” PayScale. Web. April 28, 2016.
• Hickson, Ally. “Most Workers Don't Think Women Get Paid Less Than Men — But They Do.” Refinery29. February 11, 2016. Web. April 28, 2016.
• “Pay Equity & Discrimination.” Institute For Women’s Policy Research. Web. April 28, 2016.

Standardized Testing

In the third unit of the course Argument 1954, we studied contradictions by looking at the relationship between: thesis, antithesis and synthesis. We also went to a cool FE to the Newberry Library where we learned about the struggles that black in Chicago went through to get basic civil rights.How they weren’t served at certain restaurants, couldn't buy a house in a white neighborhood, and had to have their own separate things. If they crossed the real or imaginary lines of racial segregation there would be consequences. For example, when a black boy accidentally swam across the non-existent dividing line while swimming at the beach , the whites got mad and started beating the boy up. That is when a riot in the city started, with the fighting and violence starting at the beach and moving into neighborhoods leading to many injuries and deaths. For our action project, we had to choose a topic that is going on in our world and that had a thesis (someone's point of view) and antithesis (a point of view of someone who opposes). I chose the topic of standardized testing because it’s something I disagree with strongly. As I worked on this project I had difficulty structuring everything so it makes sense and I also learned that standardized testing is a very controversy in our country right now.


Thesis:

Everything in life is based on a test, but why? Isn’t there more to a person and more to their knowledge than what is shown on a piece of paper? I argue that standardized testing should be abolished from American schools.

Support for my position:

There is a Selective Enrollment test that you have to take before graduating 8th grade to know what elite high school you can apply to and which of the remaining schools you have a better chance of attending. From a young age American students are tested every year which supposebly tracks their skill levels. By the time they’re in high school you have to take an ACT or SAT test junior year and based on that score, you have a good sense of which colleges will accept you. The topic of standardized testing matters to me a whole lot right now because I am a currently a junior in high school, this year I am taking the ACT. I am a bad test taker; I take several ACT classes to help me ready, but when I take a practice exam, I always get nervous, panic and end up forgetting everything I know. I don’t like how a piece of paper determines your knowledge and I think that colleges should give students an opportunity to show them who they are and the many things they have to offer beyond what a piece of paper says. Also, testing for hours stresses students out, which adds to the stress that we already have at school and exhausts our minds. For the first test, we are lively, but once we get half-way done, we are mentally exhausted from trying to get the correct answer so our scores won’t be low.

Quotes that support my thesis:

“A 2012 study by the Brookings Institution determined that states spend $1.7 billion per year on testing, an enormous increase over the $423 million states spent in 2001 before NCLB, according to the Pew Center on the States. All of this money has fueled a booming testing industry, with companies like Pearson racking up billions in sales.” -Quinn Mulholland from Harvard Political Review.

“Standardized tests measure only a small portion of what makes education meaningful. According to late education researcher Gerald W. Bracey, PhD, qualities that standardized tests cannot measure include "creativity, critical thinking, resilience, motivation, persistence, curiosity, endurance, reliability, enthusiasm, empathy, self-awareness, self-discipline, leadership, civic-mindedness, courage, compassion, resourcefulness, sense of beauty, sense of wonder, honesty, integrity."
-Valerie Strauss, "The Myths of Standardized Testing,” Washington Post, Apr. 15, 2011.

“Standardized tests are unnecessary because they rarely show what we don't already know. Ask any teacher and she can tell you which students can read and write. That telling usually comes in the form of letter grades or evaluations that break down progress on skills.”
—Jori Bolton for Education Week.

Antithesis:

The opposing side is for standardized testing because many believe that giving these tests to students will show what they know, and that tests have a positive impact on the students. Standardized test show their basic skills, making sure they master them and that the student has met the academic requirements. My opponent on this issue believe that teachers and administrators might otherwise cheat and alter students’ grades. They also believe that teachers’ own class/homework grade are not an alternative to the standardized tests because they are unreliable and too subjective.

From the opposing quote:

“Standardized tests are not narrowing the curriculum, rather they are focusing it on important basic skills all students need to master. According to a study in the Oct. 28, 2005, issue of the peer-reviewed Education Policy Analysis Archives, teachers in four Minnesota school districts said standardized testing had a positive impact, improving the quality of the curriculum while raising student achievement.”
-Stuart S. Yeh, "Limiting the Unintended Consequences of High-Stakes Testing" (204 KB), Education Policy Analysis Archives, Oct. 28, 2005. 

Synthesis:

Both side of the standardized testing debate can agree that students should know basic skills. Another point both sides can agree on is that there are valid studies that support our sides, so we each have data to prove our points about the negative and positive effects of testing.

A way to move beyond this argument is to imagine another way to asses students. One idea for alternative testing is having students create a project that includes a sample of basic skills, including English, Reading, Math and Science. A student can choose the topic they want to research and take materials that they will need to bring this project to life. Another solution is to have a small oral test along with paper testing. Adding the oral test, however, means the written test will have to be shorter. In order to share my synthesis I would get a group of supporters of this argument and talk with the test-makers, organizers, school council, or alderman to propose my idea. My goal would be to show them that if we approach testing in a different way, the students will benefit and school officials and government will still have an assessment of what they’re learning. It will be a win, situation for both sides. Thinking about this synthesis has transformed my point-of-view from instead of wanting to get rid of testing altogether, I realized there can be an alternative that won’t make students stressed out and satisfy education leaders.

Questions I have for the Opposition:

1. What happens to the students who can’t meet the standardized test requirements?
2. How does sitting in a chair for hours have a positive outcome, especially with elementary kids?
3. You say peer-review is very helpful, but how does peer-review help a student in an individual test?
4. Why does our world have to be based on tests?

Questions the opposition might have for me:

1. People say that the government doesn't spend as much money on education as it should, so what can you say about buying and making these new tests for students? 
2. Why do we need empathy, courage and compassion, when this world is based on academics and how smart you are? Clearly, tests are important.
3. Can grades that aren’t from standardized test even be trusted? Can we trust that the student got that grade without extra credit?

Bolton, Jori. “Here's Why We Don't Need Standardized Tests.” Education Week. July 8, 2014. Web. March 16, 2016. “Is the Use of Standardized Tests Improving Education in America?” ProCon.org. Web. March 16, 2016.

Schools Amendment

In our second unit of the course Argument, we studied the checks and balances in the U.S. Constitution and the Dred Scott supreme court case. We also had many discussions on how the Constitution affects us now and what issues are going on in our world. We also studied inductive and deductive reasoning, valid and invalid arguments, sound argument and unsound argument. We learned about logical fallacies, including Black & White, No True Scotsman, Ad Hominem, Straw Man, Authority. For our action project, we had to read the school’s Code of Conduct and address a flaw, injustice or rule that could be improved or added. Once we chose one, we made our own amendment to it. I chose a part in the Code of Conduct about after-school activities where it doesn’t say that students must leave campus by 5:00 p.m. In the Code of Conduct it just says that students are allowed to stay after school. During this project I had difficulties recreating my argument in the way that gets my point across, but I learned how to craft a formal argument.

                   Nyan Lin Cho. Singapore Parkour Free Running | JC Boy Late for School. 2013.

The GCE Code of Conduct states, “Students are subject to conditions of the Code of Conduct while attending and participating in after-school student activities and events. Regulations outlined in the Code of Conduct apply at all after-school activities and events. Students waiting for a ride should meet their ride at the school's designated student drop-off/pick-up location. If the Director or school personnel determines that the student's presence at any after-school activity creates a continuing danger to persons or property or creates an ongoing threat of disruption, the student may be removed from the activity immediately.” This rule is unjust because it doesn’t provide a time where students have to leave campus and when the activities are over, yet every day students are told that they have to leave campus by 5:00 p.m. Some students are able to leave right away because they take public transportation, but others wait for rides. Sometime parents run late or there are delays in travel. I disagree with students having to leave at 5:00 p.m because what if the student doesn’t feel comfortable going out wandering the street until they get picked up, especially when it’s winter and it’s very cold. This rule doesn't specify what time students have to leave campus, so staff should not tell students to leave when there is not a policy saying these students must leave school.

As it is currently written in the Code of Conduct, the rule is:

    P1: Students are expected to follow the GCE Code of Conduct during school hours.

    P2: GCE offers after-school activities to students each school day.

    P3: Some students participate in after-school activities and events.

    C: Students can remain on campus after school for activities and events, if they follow the GCE       Code of Conduct.

This rule should not apply when students don’t have an option and need a familiar, safe place to stay, when waiting for a ride, which is not an after-school event or activity. Students should be able to stay on campus for a reasonable time if they need to, especially if they are waiting for transportation, studying, doing homework, participating in after-school clubs or have meetings. If students are on campus and following the CoC, they should not be told to leave just because it’s 5:00 p.m. This is not in the current CoC and should be extended (and made clear) for students who require extra time after school.

I have proposed an amendment to the current rule, which is written as a formal argument below:

    P1:Some GCE students don’t have internet access once they leave school.

    P2: Some students need a safe and familiar location to be picked up by parents/guardians, who cannot always arrive before 5:00 p.m.

    P3: Some students have meetings, sports and clubs after-school.

    C: When following all of the rules, students should be allowed to remain on campus daily past 5:00 p.m.

Something similar to my amendment is like a situation where someone is singing for a long time in a recording studio. The conditions are warm temperature, no wind and proper treatment for singing. Then the owner of the recording studio asks that person to leave right when they finish instead of giving the performer the chance to cool down their vocal chords and physically prepare their warm body to face the outside temperature. If the singer doesn’t take that precaution they can be negative consequences.

In result of my amendment life will change at GCE Lab School by allowing students to stay at school for a reasonable time like 7:00 p.m. Students would not be told they have to leave and they can stay to do whatever they need to do that will help them in school. Also they can wait until their parents/guardians pick them up so they won’t have to go somewhere alone and unfamiliar.

My amendment relates to the first amendment of the U.S. Constitution the most because the first amendment allows the public to protest peacefully about something they don’t agree with and prohibits the government to interfere. In terms of the CoC we students are protesting to improve this rule, so many of us can benefit from it. Also so the Code of COnduct will be more clear, there won’t be any contradictions to it and if a student stays past 5pm, they are not breaking the CoC. My amendment demonstrates true citizenship by following the obligations and duties that the Code of Conduct requires.

As I propose this change to the Code of Conduct, I have students agreeing with me. For example a classmate said"

“I agree highly with this idea/revision, because I have been, many times, kicked out and had to tell my parents last minute to pick me somewhere else. Also, I can see how maybe the fact that their is no one watching us from the staff, but I believe we are old enough to take responsibility for our actions.” - NVA

I believe that the the administration should revise this rule. Implementing this rule will show students that they have a voice in creating school rules. Also it will create a better environment for students. It can also improve students’ grades because they will have time to do work and get feedback. Another thing is that not all staff leaves at 5:00 p.m, so when the last staff leaves then students can leave too. I am asking that if the staff also follow what is in the Code of Conduct and not add anything or do anything that is not mentioned.

    P1: Students will be able to finish their hw before they go home.

    P2: Students will be able to stay in a safe place until their parents pick them up.P3: Students will be able to enjoy their after-school activities without worrying that they have to leave early.

Acapella

In the first unit of the course Argument, we studied the Declaration of Independence, we broke it down to understand, we made mini arguments and we discuss what happens in the republican and democratic debates. We also looked at photographs with no people for the reason that the space has a historical moment, whereas there was a protest, gun shot, etc. For our action project we were assigned to make a declaration of our choosing. I decided to make a declaration about having an Acapella third period class because I like acapella and I like many acapella groups. During this action project I had difficulty coming up with an idea to pursue and structuring the declaration to make it flow. I learned that making a third period is harder than I thought because there are many details that go into it and making the structure of the third period is crucial so there is guidance.

We should have an Acapella third period class because it will let students explore their tones of voices and what their voice can do. They will discover new ways of singing, their true voices and will learn how to harmonize with other groups. Working together is the key to a successful acapella group.
The purpose of school is to learn new things and to expand our knowledge of previous things. To explore new things and find out what you are good and what might possibly be you career. In our new space at GCE Lab School, there will be a recording studio and we will have the chance to experience how to record. School also helps us grow, find our voice and help us be independent. Some of the rights that we have is the Right to explore different things, Right to express your ideas, Right to experience something new, Right to network with professionals and many more.

The guiding question I will pursue Is Acapella part of Music or separate? Why? I think that student should have a chance to explore something new. We have a club after school, but I think that many students are shy to participate so having them take a class will push them to discover something about himself and something different than doing kareoke because in Acapella everything is done by one's voice. My desire outcome of this third period is for students to feel that they learned something new about themself, make new friends, find something in common with other people they didn’t think they had and over all they appreciate acapella and music.In order to make this possible I will need a teacher who is passionate about music and that will help students find a voice. I will need students who are interested in it or are willing to give it a chance. I will need people who think or can beatbox. People who have some kind of knowledge in music to help out others and help with arrangements. I will need some speakers to play some examples of song from acapella groups. Maybe we can do a partnership with an acapella teacher, and acapella academy or a local/ any acapella group.

KIS. Triple Diagram. 2016.

We should have an acapella third period class that allows students to explore different sides of music and different genres. Having this class will will give them a different point of view of music and they will see music differently in general.